May 15th - This Date in Wine History

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Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • James Mayer de Rothschild was born in 1792.  He was the founder of the French branch of the Rothschild family.  He is known for banking and for purchasing the Château Lafite Rothschild.
  • The Exposition Universelle of 1855 opens in Paris. Emperor Napoleon III ordered the reclassification of Bordeaux wines. This is the basis of the AOC classification system in France.
  • The Monbazillac AOC was created in 1936.
  • The Cassis AOC was created in 1936.
  • California's Santa Lucia Highlands AVA was designated in 1992.
  • Texas' Escondido Valley AVA was designated in 1992.
  • New York's North Fork of Long Island AVA was designated in 2001.
  • It is the feast day of St. Isidore the Farmer. He is patron of agricultural workers, livestock and ranchers.

Central Coast - Wine Region of the Day

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Central Coast

The Central Coast was designated as an AVA in 1985. Situated across 280 miles from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, the Central Coast is home to sub-appellations Arroyo Grande Valley, Arroyo Seco, Ballard Canyon, Ben Lomond Mountain, Carmel Valley, Chalone, Cienega Valley, Edna Valley, Hames Valley, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, Lime Kiln Valley, Livermore Valley, Monterey, Mt. Harlan, Pacheco Pass, Paicines, Paso Robles, San Antonio Valley, San Benito, San Bernabe, San Francisco Bay, San Lucas, San Ysidro District, Santa Clara Valley, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Ynez Valley, and York Mountain. The Central Coast is so vast that it features a variety of soil types and microclimates across its sub-appellations. The most common vines planted across the Central Coast are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc.

May 15th - This Date in Wine History

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Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • The Exposition Universelle of 1855 opens in Paris. Emperor Napoleon III ordered the reclassification of Bordeaux wines. This is the basis of the AOC classification system in France.
  • The Monbazillac AOC was created in 1936.
  • The Cassis AOC was created in 1936.
  • California's Santa Lucia Highlands AVA was designated in 1992.
  • Texas' Escondido Valley AVA was designated in 1992.
  • New York's North Fork of Long Island AVA was designated in 2001.

Santa Lucia Highlands - Wine Region of the Day

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The Santa Lucia Highlands received their designation as an AVA in 1990. Sitting on 22,000 acres in the Santa Lucia Mountains, the region is a sub-appellation of the Monterey AVA. The soil is a gravelly sandy loam, and the terrain consists of terraces around 2,000 feet in elevation. The high elevation grants the vines access to the daylong sun that is cooled down by breezes off the Pacific Ocean. The region is best known for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah.

Monterey - Wine Region of the Day

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Photo of Monterey by David Toomey for Qorkz.

The Monterey region received its AVA designation in 1984. Monterey is a larger region and contains the sub-appelations of Arroyo Seco, Hames Valley, San Bernabe, San Lucas, and the Santa Lucia Highlands. The region covers over 100 miles and spans from Monterey Bay to Paso Robles. The majority of the production in Monterey is Chardonnay, but Pinot Noir Merlot, and Riesling are also produced here.

Monterey - Wine Region of the Day

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MONTEREY

 Monterey viticultural area by David Toomey for Qorkz

The Monterey region received its AVA designation in 1984. Monterey is a larger region and contains the sub-appelations of Arroyo Seco, Hames Valley, San Bernabe, San Lucas, and the Santa Lucia Highlands. The region covers over 100 miles and spans from Monterey Bay to Paso Robles. The majority of the production in Monterey is Chardonnay, but Pinot Noir Merlot, and Riesling are also produced here.

May 15 - This Date In Wine History

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GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

GRAPE CULTIVATION, WINEMAKING, AND COMMERCE IN ANCIENT EGYPT C. 1500 BC

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature This Date In Wine History, we share an event of critical importance in wine history. 

May 15 

California's Santa Lucia Highlands AVA was designated in 1992.

New York's North Fork of Long Island AVA was designated in 2001.

Texas' Escondido Valley AVA was designated in 1992.

The Cassis AOC was created in 1936.

The Exposition Universelle of 1855 opens in Paris. Emperor Napoleon III ordered the reclassification of Bordeaux wines. This is the basis of the AOC classification system in France.

The Monbazillac AOC was created in 1936.